Asobinet, who spotted the patent, says [google translated]:
Looking at the lens configuration, it is very similar to the 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN (not 100% match). Perhaps F2 zoom was one of the options during the examination stage of practical use lenses. However, now that F2.8 zoom has appeared, it seems unlikely that F2 zoom will see the light of day.
I love the size (and price) of the current Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8, but an f/2 version would be a nice addition too.
Summary
[Public number] P2022038820
[Name of invention] Large aperture zoom lens
[Dapplication date] 2020-08-27
[Applicant]
[Identification number] 000131326
[Name or name] Sigma Corporation
[Issue] We provide a small large aperture zoom lens that is suitable for digital cameras and video lenses, with good aberrations and can be used for quick focus operation.
[0015]
This invention is based on a positive lead zoom lens for the above challenges, suitable for digital cameras and video lenses, with good aberrations, and quick focus movement, small large apertures. The purpose is to provide a lens.
When Sigma launched their new Fujifilm X mount trinity, we had a huge live blog here on FujiRumors, where we could see that these are very fine lenses.
Down below a summary in case you are in a hurry and can’t watch the video right now (plus a few personal notes).
But yeah, I can’t see the future. Nobody can. So Tony’s opinion is just as valid as mine. The future will tell.
Two System, Less Cameras and Lenses for APS-C due to limited R&D
Maybe I am not so much into other brands, but I don’t feel like Fujifilm is releasing less gear than other brands.
The real issue was more that so far not many third party brands released AF lenses for Fujifilm, but that has been solved in the meantime.
But in some way it is true. No GFX system could potentially mean more resources for X mount. But I think this is also why Fujifilm waited so long before offering a second sensor option. They did want to wait that their APS-C lineup is rich in lenses and once well covered, they can free up resources for other projects.
Lack of Fast Lenses
First off, let me say that there are many fast Fujinon XF lenses such as the XF200mmF2, XF8-16mmF2.8, XF50mmF1.0 as well as all the nice f/1.2 and f/1.4 primes.
But what about the f/1.8 zooms he’d wish for the X system? Well, that brings us to the next point.
High ISO
In the past, pushing your digital cameras to high ISO was something we absolutely wanted to avoid, as the performance was so bad. To avoid to go too high with ISO, we did indeed need fast glass for low light photography.
But that was the past. Today, ISO performance on digital cameras is vastly improved, which means you don’t need to try to desperately avoid high ISO with super fast and expensive glass. Nope, you can also push ISO up much higher than you ever could in the past.
What this means is that you can put smaller, lighter and more affordable lenses on your camera, as you can compensate the slower aperture with a higher ISO value.
Down below I will share a video of an extreme low light recovery I made of my wife overlooking the hills of Ronda in Andalusia, Spain (we made our honeymoon there). She basically went from almost invisible black to nicely visible in clean colors (thank you X-Trans for that high color fidelity) and in my eyes also very contained levels of noise, which make the image pleasing and usable.
But what about Bokeh? Let’s talk about it.
Bokeh
Not enough background blur? Well, this one is easy to answer. I’ll just share an image down below. And it’s not even the fastest lens Fujifilm has to offer (you can get even more radical with this one).
Autofocus (and Computational Photography)
True, Sony and Canon have better autofocus. But the point with autofocus is, that once it is near perfect, there is not much to improve anymore. Fujifilm just needs to catch up with Sony and Canon, and then the “autofocus war” will be basically over, since there will be little room for further enhancements.
Where there is much more room for improvement, is computational photography. And this is an area where smaller sensors simply are superior to bigger sensors. In fact, if done wisely, it could be even lead to a Renaissance of the M43 system (as the Panasonic GH6 shows with its terrific high res handheld mode). And certainly APS-C has a potential advantage here over full frame or medium format.
What some might not know, is that Sigma also offers a “mount conversion service”.So, if you already own any of these lenses for other mounts and now would like them for your new Fuji X system, you can get them converted directly by Sigma.
Available Mount Conversion Service
This service converts the mount of SIGMA lenses to that of a different camera body, allowing photographers to continue using their favorite lenses over the long term regardless of camera system.
Note 1: The Mount Conversion Service is different from a normal repair. In order to apply for the service, please contact your nearest authorized SIGMA subsidiary or distributor.https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ Note 2: This service is performed exclusively by SIGMA.
With the latest Sigma X mount releases, it’s high time for us to update the list of third party lenses with autofocus support for Fujifilm X series cameras.
We will include also the newly announced Voigtländer NOKTON 23mm F1.2 (as well as the already available Voigländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 X), which are not autofocus lenses, but they have electronic contacts for EXIF data transfer and more.
Last year, Cosina launched the Voigtländer Nokton 35mmF1.2 X, with no autofocus, but with electronic contacts which allows for transfer of EXIF data and more (more details at the bottom of the article).
Now Cosina will also launch the Voigtländer Nokton 23mm f/1.2 APS-C lens for Nikon Z and Fujifilm X mount.
Also in this case, there will be electronic contacts but not autofocus.
It’s nice to see that Cosina understands us Fujifilm X shooters (or most of us) better than what Sigma does, and did put the effort to design the X mount version with an aperture ring. I wish the new Sigma X mount trinity would have an aperture ring too. But it’s no dealbreaker in my eyes. I shot my 27mmF2.8 without aperture ring for long and with great joy (but I replaced it now with the new XF27mmF2.8 with aperture ring).
For me, shooting Fujifilm is not only, but also about the experience. This is also the reason why I got the TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4. It’s the look and feel of it, attached to my X-E3 or X-T4, that simply makes me enjoy shooting with it every now and then.
And surely the new Voigtländer NOKTON lenses for Fujifilm X hit the same nerve, with a lovely vintage design and the bonus of electronic contacts that make it an appealing option for X shooters.
Personally, though, the Voigtländer options is not on my radar, because my Fujifilm X-E3 camera is not supported (yet). The full list of supported X series cameras can be found at the very bottom of this article.
SIGMA also plans to introduce the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens — currently available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount — for X Mount later this year. It is tentatively scheduled for a December 2022 release.
For the lastest Sigma X Mount announcements make sure to check out our live blog coverage here.
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary (coming December 2022): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
We have it all covered in our dedicated live blog.
What some might have missed, is that Sigma also announced they will release the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 “later”. I quote:
SIGMA is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of interchangeable lenses for Fujifilm X Mount mirrorless cameras. This addition allows users to enjoy high performance, and high quality SIGMA lenses in native mount on their X Mount system.
The first in this X Mount lenses from SIGMA are the wide-angle prime 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, the standard prime 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, and the telephoto 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, which makes a complete system for mirrorless camera users.
In addition, the compact, lightweight, high-performance large-diameter standard zoom lens 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, which was released in October 2021, is currently under development for X Mount. The world of X Mount will be further expanded.
This has been announced officially at the dedicated Sigma X mount page here.
